| If you are interested in working with startups and | | | | capital shops do not even have positions available. |
| you want to be employed by a venture capital firm, | | | | The few firms that do have openings usually seek |
| you need to get involved! | | | | people that went to top tier Universities and have |
| What does getting involved really mean? | | | | three years of investment banking experience. |
| A few days ago, Matt Shapiro, an Associate at | | | | If you really want to get involved with venture |
| LaunchCapital, gave me a quick call. Matt just | | | | capital, you need to look past the lofty job |
| completed his graduate degree at the Yale School of | | | | requirements and know that if you contribute to the |
| Management and is the creator of the Entrepreneur's | | | | startup ecosystem, your talents will be noticed. |
| Census, a survey that collected data from | | | | Wherever you are seeking employment, you need to |
| entrepreneurs and investors across the United | | | | believe that you have something to offer. Credentials |
| States. I asked him for advice about how to land a | | | | do not get you employed; they only get you an |
| position with a venture capital firm. He suggested | | | | interview. When I first thought about what I could do |
| several ways to work with startups, but he told me | | | | for an investor, I came up with no ideas. I concluded |
| that it was almost impossible to become an | | | | that... |
| Investment Associate working with venture capital | | | | "Investors have unbelievable amounts of money. |
| and private equity. The industry has been shrinking | | | | What could I possibly give them?" |
| and there are a limited number of firms. On a side | | | | Fortunately, I reevaluated the situation. Investors |
| note, he told me that the Entrepreneur's Census | | | | want simple sentimental contributions. I created my |
| gave him an avenue to expand his network and give | | | | blog because I enjoy writing about business, but I |
| back to the community that drives his passion. | | | | also want to help entrepreneurs and investors. As I |
| When our conversation ended, I realized that if I | | | | was browsing through LinkedIn, I noticed a comment |
| want to get involved with the venture capital | | | | from one of my connections that said, only fifteen |
| community, I need to give before I receive. After | | | | percent of venture capitalists blog. For most |
| recognizing this incredibly important business rule of | | | | investors, it is probably incredibly difficult to blog with |
| thumb, I have been taking steps to leverage my | | | | such intense schedules. Nowadays, you need to find |
| knowledge about the industry. I want to help both | | | | a way to connect with your audience and build |
| entrepreneurs and investors by disseminating | | | | relationships. However, regardless of the career path |
| information. You simply cannot expect people, | | | | you choose, fill a gap in the community and your |
| especially high profile investors, to take you seriously | | | | efforts will be recognized. Build your personal brand |
| unless they know you are driven to be involved and | | | | and deliver a high level of expertise. |
| make an impact in their community. Most venture | | | | |